Automating Military Terrain Analysis: Design and Implementation of an ArcGIS ModelBuilder Toolbox for Terrain Analysis and Modified Combined Obstacle Overlay (MCOO) Generation

Abstract

Terrain analysis is a key component of military planning and operational decision-making. Military terrain analysis still relies on manual geographic information system (GIS) workflows that depend on analyst experience. This project develops an automated ArcGIS toolbox built in ModelBuilder to support terrain analysis for Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment (IPOE) by generating repeatable terrain products derived from Observation and Fields of Fire, Avenues of Approach, Key Terrain, Obstacles, and Cover and Concealment (OAKOC) analysis for a selected area of interest. The workflow uses common geospatial datasets, including digital elevation models, land cover data, hydrological layers, and transportation networks. These datasets are processed through raster analysis tools that calculate terrain characteristics such as slope, visibility, and movement difficulty. The model generates terrain outputs associated with OAKOC analysis and identifies potential avenues of approach. The study tested the workflow by running the model multiple times and applying it to two case study areas in Europe and South America. In testing, the automated workflow completed terrain analysis in approximately fifteen minutes per run, while the equivalent manual workflow required several hours of analyst interaction. The model also allows analysts to apply the same process to new locations without having to rebuild the analysis. The results show that automated geospatial workflows can strengthen military terrain analysis by providing faster, repeatable results that support military planning while allowing analysts to apply professional judgment when interpreting terrain effects.